by James Slater – BoxRec had the fight up as happening a while back, and now it seems Mexico’s Antonio Margarito (dubbed, of course, “Margocheato” by some fans) is very close to fighting again, against 23-year-old light-middleweight Carson Jones. According to a news story on ESPN.com, promoter Bon Arum – who has stood by Margarito’s side since the Mexican warrior had his licence revoked for one year by the California State Athletic Commission for attempting to use “loaded gloves” in his January 2009 fight with Shane Mosley – is optimistic Margarito will receive a license to fight in Texas.
Arum’s plan is for “Tony” to fight Jones on the under-card of the Pacquiao-Clottey bill in Dallas on March 13th. Reportedly, Arum is so sure his fighter WILL be successful in his request for a license in Texas, Top Rank have actually signed the fight between Margarito and Jones.. The fight will take place at a maximum weight of 155-pounds, and will be scheduled for ten-rounds.
So, how do you, the fans, feel about this? Should Margarito be allowed to fight, anywhere, after just one year of forced idleness? Or has the man whose hand wraps were found to have been covered with “a plaster-like substance” been let off too lightly if he does indeed obtain a license for March 13th?
If Margarito, 37-6(27) does fight and win in March, he could be on his way towards earning millions of dollars. It’s no secret Arum’s plan is for Margarito to one day engage in what would almost certainly be a highly lucrative return fight with the last man the Mexican defeated, Miguel Cotto. But does the shamed Mexican deserve such a big and well-paying fight?
Of course, if Margarito does fight Jones, 24-7-1(15) and loses, this whole argument will change significantly. But what if the fight does go ahead and Margarito looks superb in winning? Will other states in America then follow Texas and allow him to fight? Has Margarito paid his dues? The paying fans are as qualified as anyone to put answers to questions like these, and I’d truly love to know what the fight fans think.
It seems we will be seeing Margarito back in action on March 13th – as top writer Dan Rafael has already pointed out, BEFORE the man who beat him, in Shane Mosley – but will you support the Mexican and the Texas Commission if this is indeed the case?